Subtopic	Posts		Updated
	Archive 01	50		2001/10/03, 04:28 am
	Archive 02	50		2001/12/01, 07:37 am
	Archive 03	50		2002/04/06, 12:01 pm
	Archive 04	50		2003/11/20, 12:01 pm

I don't know crap about soccer, but I'm a basketball afficiando and it's interesting that every year or two a huge debate ensues when the NBA signs 18 year olds out of high school, to the point where there was talk of congress passing a law dictating that one must be 21 to play in the NBA, but hockey and soccer tap 15 year olds (and now younger) and no one says a word. More power to you Abu or whatever your name is.

OG:I've neer seen Adu play, but I live close enuf to Washington that I owe it to myself to go see DC play this season. Do you think the kid is good enough for 2006? Team USA has finally become (cof, cof) a possible contender, at least to get a good ways into the elimnation rounds. A true international star is the only thing they still desperately need...

BS

The US will not get pass the quarter-finals in 2006 because of Freddy Adu, the US will get past the quarters, because the have great goaltending, a strong defense and a competent midfield. What the US has never had are productive strikers at the world stage.
If freddy Adu, make the jump from great-teenage-football-player to world-class striker, the US will go far.

The US national team and the MLS will have to protect him though. Until his body physically develops to maturity ( he probably has about 3 years of growing ahead), he will play at a physical disadvantage. His current gifts of speed and quickness, combined with extraordinary facility on the ball., ie., dribbling and passing are complemented by his unnatural ability to "see the field" and assess the game. He does need more experience defending, and probably will learn to pass more, as he will be a perrienial marked man, but his skills are genuine.

A fully mature, experience Freddy Adu with skill growth comensurate with his existing ability will be the US's first true scoring sensation and perhaps a world soccer star.

OG

Honestly, I wasn't all that impressed with Adu. (Of course, I wasn't impressed with Donovan or Sanneh either, yet both performed passably -- if not admirably -- at K/J 02.) I think he's (a) an early bloomer, which means his performance relative to other 14-year-olds may be misleading (b) probably unaware that his "real" chronological age may be as much as 2 years older than that (but that's beside the point; an interesting tangent, is all) and (c) most important, merely a dribbler.

I'm kind of happy and kind of dismayed that he'll stay in the USA. I think for a kid that young from a US culture, it makes sense to stay with mom and at home as much as possible. In Britain, where the footballing culture and the academy schools are long-established in the public imagination, signing at 14 (like Beckham) isn't as much of a ripping the heart out.

But I'm dismayed that he'll receive "typical" American coaching and play against "typical" American opposition. This probably will, in general, teach him to value brute, overt, crude athleticism over intelligent tactical awareness. There will of course be moments that contradict that generalization, but over all, for me at least, what's missing in the US soccer make-up is people who can "see" the whole big picture -- Matthaeus, Maldini, Zidane, Veron.

We come close with Claudio Reyna, who has divine tactical sense, but who unfortunately often finds himself in the position of playing "in a vacuum" with his US teammates, for whom he can't deliver adequate service because he's thinking so much faster than them. Also, Reyna has a bit of a glass jaw, too prone to niggling injuries and minor infractions getting major punishments -- a severe detriment to midfield generalship.

I'd like to see more Ajax-style academies with "vision" and "tactics" taught well above the Latin model of "touch" and "skills." Positional awareness, of yourself and your teammates, is the thing that separates the men from the boys. Of course, there's also a bare minimum in skill-level that would be required for any true international footballer, and I'd have to say only about 75% (or fewer?) of the usual US squad live up to that criterion in the first place.

Nevertheless, I think the US should plan on advancing out of the round of 16 to the Quarterfinals of Germany06 (with or without Adu) just as they did in K/J02. It's about the right level for us, somewhere between the top 8 and the top 4 in the world, hopefully not as low as only the top 16. We have the national population, wealth, resources, stability, etc., to the extent that we ought be ashamed of performing anywhere lower than that.

And that brute athleticism I mentioned does get some degree of results, as un-interesting as it can be for a true afficionado. Witness the fact that Lothar Matthaeus couldn't "handle" the aggressive nature of the MLS, and moved quickly on from playing in NYC to coaching elsewhere after he'd ended his "real" European playing career to come to the USA. There's some strong stuff going on. Unfortunately, for me it's not the kind of stuff I would like to see us developing, either domestically or in the international arena.

Adu is quick from what i saw but that's about it. In terms of technical skills, I did not see much. In Brasil, he would be just another player.

I sort of agree with Athos, But disagree also.

In Brazil he would be just another player. In Ghana, he would be just another player. These countries have millions of kids that are "throwaways", and a significant portion of them, through street-level learning are competent and skilled football players. BUT, they are not in the US. And that is the difference.

When in Brazil, you have an embarassment of riches in the number of children playing the game, all dreaming to be the next Ronaldo, all possesing skills and talents, that would make any coach in the US sit up and take notice.
However in Brazil, there is a winnowing process which means not always the best football players, make it to the next level, either through grinding poverty, crime, health or several other reasons.

In Ghana, its much the same way.

But Freddy Adu is in the US, not Brazil, not Ghana. And we have IMHO the best coaching and development process for sporting achievement in the world. It is not confined to soccer alone, but extend to most other sports.

Football in Europe and South America has a great tradition, In some of these countries it is the "only" sport, so the hype level is tremendous. Acheivements and sports personalities are sometimes blown all out of proportion. While this is somewhat true in the US too, it is not concentrated solely on one sport.

Freddy Adu will receive better coaching than he would in Europe at this stage of his career. He will play day-to-day in the MLS which is a great increase in caliber of play over the youth and even the reserve teams of Europe.

He will recieve the finest medical, financial and coaching advice this country can provide, which again will be more than Europe may or will provide. The American national team youth soccer program has been rated as one of the best in the world by even the Brazilian, German and English Soccer Federations.

In short, Freddy Adu will not lose any momentum by staying in the US. In fact his skills and development as a soccer player and a person can only get better by staying here at his young age. The fact that so many soccer experts, coaches, player old and new, have expressed admiration for his skills and talent show he is "the real deal".

The real test will come in the next 3 years as Freddy is integrated into the MLS and the fabric of the senior US National Team. He has already been added to the US under 20 World Cup to be played this month in the UAE.

By the time he plays in the the 2006 WC Freddy will have, quite likely, played in possibly 3 youth World Cups, The Olympics, and several MLS seasons, as well as countless U-17, U-20 freindlies he is eligble for.
Although most of the international experience is at the youth level, it is still extremely challenging and important experience.

Freddy will be, by the time he hopefully makes it to 2006 WC, one of the most experienced international player on the US side.

Pretty good for a kid who has yet learned how to drive.

OG

US vs. Mexico.. another US/Mexico match coming up on Tuesday. This is an Olympic Qualifier. The winner goes to Athens, the loser stays home. The US won it's group, but Mexico could only finish 2nd, so now it has to play the US. The winner of this game, and the winner of the Honduras/Costa Rica game go on to Athens. The games are played by the U-23 group, but the US has about 3 players from the WC 2002.

The US, on hearing that Mexico tied Costa Rica and finished 2nd in their group. "tried" to lose against Honduras in it's last group game. They:
1. rested Eight starters!
2. Allowed two penalty kicks off handballs.
3. Had a man sent off at halftime with the score 1-1, having to play the whole second half, a man down.
4. Had Mexican referees call their match.

But they still won 4-3, I guess Hondoras has more experience losing.

So now the US will play Mexico in Guadalajara in front of a sea of green and about 60,000 people, all rooting for Mexico.

As this is a must win for both teams, it should be a great game. The US has had real problems with its defense, having one of its best defenders tearing a quad in the first match and also missing two of its best defenders who play oversees with their Euro clubs refusing to allow them to play in their qualifying. But the US offense has been a scoring machine, scoring 10 goals in three games.

Alas, the game, at this time, will not be shown on open TV, but some bars will offer it on closed circuit. I've already found one in Naco and am contemplating heading down on Tuesday.

OG

Thanks for the report, OG. I live in the middle of nowhere and can't get cable ...

Hey, who knows the broadcast schedule for UEFA games this week?

uh, i thought they were playing next week, fox sports world is showing Celtic at Barca live, uefa cup on thu.
1/4 finals uefa champions league, espn2 is showing Arsenal vs Chelsea on wed, maybe next week too.
If you have access to espn deportes, they carry all 4 1/4 finals games, good excuse to head south of the border. Better yet head to Brasil and games start early afternoon.

I guess there are some Happy Fuckin' Hooligans tonight. What a 2nd half and OT.

F. I miss the greatest comeback, first half men against boys as Liverpool could not contain brasileiro Kaka, 3-0 at half time, italian team leading at half never lose so I head to termas. I f. returned at midnight, turned on tv and was literally shocked seeing reds celebrate.

It was amazing!!. I was so dissapointed in the first half when AC lead 3-0. I ALMOST missed the goal scoring spree, turning it back to ESPN in time to see Liverpools first goal, then second, then TIED. Wow, what did the coach say to them at halftime!!.

I think Liverpool owes a lot to thier manger Benetez and to jezzy Dudek thier oft maligned keeper. He made more mistakes and gaffes in more than just a few games in the Premiership and Champions League. Yet Benitez, Liverpools manager, refused to yank him from any games. This is the exact opposite to what Ferguson did at Man U, with Tim Howard and Caroll. Dudek saved the day the dying minutes of the 2nd half when he made two point-blank refle saves, and then was excellent in the shootout stopping two shots!!

What crack me up though, is that Liverpool, by finishing 5th in the Premiership, DOES NOT qualify for next years Champions League.

OG

It's a shame for the US that they had to schedule the game against England on the 28th as opposed to the 30. To use Chicago's Soldier Field it had to be Saturday. So the US will not get Beckham and Owens from Real Madrid, or Gerrard from Liverpool. They will all appear against Columbia in New York though, which will probably be a more interesting game, futbol wise, then the US/England game.

Whoever did the scheduling, knew that all the important end-of-season games in Europe would not conclude before the 30th. The scheduler for SoccerUSA who promoted and scheduled this game should be IMHO taken out and shot.

Anyway, although the US does not have Reyna, Lewis and Beasley in the midfield against England, I think they will still have the edge and it won't surprise me to see the US take this one.

And Finally: Now that England has foward Andy Johnson from the relegated Crystal Palace team on thier squad facing the US. Will we see any signs held up by an English Supporter with the slogan:

"It will take more than 11 Yanks to beat our Johnson!!"

OG

I saw the USA U20 play Germany and Argentina, they made real progress as team is better than 2 years ago. Freddy Adu is the real deal, at 16, he is smallest player on the field but he is the best one playing against 18 and 19 year old.
USA plays Italy in round of 16. Big if but if they can beat italy the rest of the draw is fairly easy opposite side of Brasil and Argentina.
Marvel Wynne, son of MLB Padres player, looks great and he plays for UCLA. Other player no 8, best USA midfielder plays also for UCLA. Is college soccer good these days?
I have not seen Brasil but I expect they have best team by far.

I have seen the Brazilian team play this morning and the Brazilian team is at the same level as the American team. As a matter of fact, I thought the Argentina team was better than Brazil, especially their midfield. The US team is loaded with talent. The French-American goalie is a bit short but has insane hops.

How about senior team? chicas 1 - garotas 0, Mexico plays up to their level and beat uninspired Brasil 1-0 in Hanover.

The best under-20 U.S. midfielder is named Beny Heilfaber (spelling), who happens to have dual American/Brazilian citizenship. And I believe was born in Rio.

Cuautemhoc got a red card for elbowing some Honduran guy. GOD I HATE that no-necked piece of shit. Glad he got caught and glad Mexico lost im the process. I root hard for all Mexican players and teams, except when that fuckhead is in the mix. I wish Mexico would show some class and ban his (USELESS, which makes this all the more frustrating!) ass from the Tri.

(Message edited by Porker on June 10, 2007)

Actually, Honduras was outplaying Mexico even before the red card and I think would have at least tied anyways. Mexico was fortunate to score on a penalty kick but the game could have been at least 3-1 where Costly was tackled in the box with no whistle and several offsides calls that were incorrect.

Porker, if you were to ever attend a USA-Mexico soccer match in the USA, you would never root for Mexico again. I would never even consider watching a game like that in DF, where the fans hate the USA so much that they chant "Osama, Osama" the entire game, less than a year after 911.

Ho-Hum. Another win by the US Mens's National team over Mexico. And not even a comment by any of our "futbol" fans on the board!!

Although there were new faces on both teams, the usual pro-mexican crowd at a US venue, this time in Chicago, the result was the same; a US win. The tricolores did score a goal though, something the have failed to do in the last 6 outings against the US.

In the leadups to the game the usual brashness of the Mexican team was a little more subdued. In fact, most of the Mexican players spoke of the "opportunity" to "try" to win.

I do think that the Mexican team will fare better than the US in the Copa America starting next week in Venezuela. The US is sending a very young and mostly inexperienced team, with some having no caps with the Mens National Team. Mexico will be sending a squad mostly made up of the Gold cup team but with some of its Euro players opting out.

If the US does well it's all gravy as the primary goal this summer was the Gold Cup which was accomplished.
The US will have its big test against Argentina in group play. The Last time the US went to the Copa America, it beat Argentina and got to the semi-finals before being ousted by Brazil. It will be a small miracle for the US to get out of group play and I'm sure the defeat to the US will be rememebered by the South American Media.

Should be intersting though!

OG

USA officially owns Mexico in soccer now. I love beating Mexico in soccer because it is a symbolic castration of an entire country that was only better than the USA at one thing...soccer..and now they cant even claim that.

Oh how I wish I was there to see all of those drunk bastards walking to their cars pissed for the the 9th time in a row against the USA on USA soil. It was great that the USA team personally invited Miss USA because they both can identify with Mexicans booing them during competition.

I must admit though, the Mexicans behaved themselves this time and didnt boo or yell "culero" during the USA national anthem.

"and not even a comment by any of our "futbol" fans on the board!!"

You should check the Mexico chat section.

Ele estava comia de mais no Porcao...


Depois de fazer três gols no treino deste sábado, Ronaldo se mostrou à vontade e tirou a camisa após entregar uma camisa a uma torcedora. De acordo com o fisioterapeuta do atacante, Bruno Mazziotti, ele está com 10.7 de percentual de gordura, considerado excelente para um atleta. Resta ao Fenômeno melhorar a potência e a resistência para, enfim, poder fazer a estreia, que ainda não tem data marcada.